Importance of Sincere Faith in Christian Discipleship
Sincere faith is a foundational element of Christian discipleship, characterized by genuine commitment and diligence in one's spiritual walk. The New Testament emphasizes that sincerity should permeate various aspects of a believer's life, including love for God and others, service, and overall conduct [1].
Discipleship involves a continuous process of growth and confirmation in faith. The Apostle Paul and Barnabas, for instance, confirmed the souls of disciples and exhorted them to "continue in the faith," acknowledging that entry into the Kingdom of God often involves enduring afflictions [2]. Adam Clarke notes that the early Church functioned as a "school" where converts, as "scholars," were instructed in divine knowledge and their duties, requiring ongoing teaching to be confirmed in their faith [5].
The concept of sincere faith is often contrasted with superficial or hypocritical expressions. Torrey's Topical Textbook highlights that sincerity is opposed to "fleshly wisdom" and that the wicked are often "devoid of" it [1]. This sincerity should be evident in the preaching of the Gospel, though it acknowledges that the Gospel can sometimes be preached without it [1].
Diligence is closely linked to sincere faith. Christ himself is presented as an example of diligence [3]. Believers are called to be diligent in seeking God, obeying Him, striving for perfection, cultivating Christian graces, guarding their souls and hearts, and engaging in "labours of love" [3]. This includes making one's calling and election sure and diligently examining oneself [3]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary on 1 Thessalonians describes "the work of faith" as the "working reality" of faith, not merely an "otiose assent," but a continuous chain of work that demonstrates its authenticity [4]. This "work of faith" implies its full development [4].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sincerity — Christ was an example of -- 1Pe 2:22. Ministers should be examples of -- Tit 2:7. Opposed to fleshly wisdom -- 2Co 1:12. Should characterise Our love to God. -- 2Co 8:8,24. Our love to Christ. -- Eph 6:24. Our service to God. -- Jos 24:14; Joh 4:23,24. Our faith. -- 1Ti 1:5. Our love to one another. -- Ro 12:9; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jo 3:18. Our whole conduct. -- 2Co 1:12. The preaching of the gospel. -- 2Co 2:17; 1Th 2:3-5. A characteristic of the doctrines of the gospel -- 1Pe 2:2. The gospel sometimes preached without -- Php 1:16. The wicked devoid of -- Ps 5:9; ”
- Acts “confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter into the Kingdom of God. -- Acts 14:22”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
- 1 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Thessalonians 1:3: work of faith--the working reality of your faith; its alacrity in receiving the truth, and in evincing itself by its fruits. Not an otiose assent; but a realizing, working faith; not "in word only," but in one continuous chain of "work" (singular, not plural, works), Th1 1:5-10; Jam 2:22. So "the work of faith" in Th2 1:11 implies its perfect development (compare Jam 1:4). The other governing substantives similarly mark respectively the characteristic manifestation of the grace which follows each in the genitive. Faith, love, and hope, are the ”
- Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 14:22: Confirming the souls of the disciples - The word disciple signifies literally a scholar. The Church of Christ was a school, in which Christ himself was chief Master; and his apostles subordinate teachers. All the converts were disciples or scholars, who came to this school to be instructed in the knowledge of themselves and of their God: of their duty to Him, to the Church, to society, and to themselves. After having been initiated in the principles of the heavenly doctrine, they needed line upon line, and precept upon precept, in order that they might be confirmed a”